Loose Ends

For some the new year brings a time to brainstorm and commit to "resolutions", for me it usually brings a bit of quiet time to tie up loose ends, organize, and save up some energy for another busy year. I don't have a habit of making resolutions because they would inevitably be the same thing year after year and I would never feel as though I were making progress. I hope to always be aware of the areas I need improvement and that I would constantly be trying to make those areas better.

This year we have some very exciting things to look forward to and plan for. We will be looking for a new place to call home in about 6 months.... oh, say, right around the time of our new arrival :) I'm thinking Ballardia will prevail amongst our choices. Close enough to not need a car, yet far enough to get some space without breaking the bank.

I've been promising the Grandparents our Family Yearbook for a couple months now so I think I better get on that. With the addition of an amazing new camera (thanks G-ma & G-pa), I'm thoroughly looking forward to next year's book, but I shouldn't let that excitement allow me to loose sight of the book I need to work on first.

I think my knitting may take a back seat for a bit. Some of you may be thinking, "Is she crazy? Why she has a new little one to knit all sorts of cute things for!" Well, for starters, I also have a stack of books I've been meaning to read and have come up with all sorts of excuses not to dive into them. Second, I don't know what I will really use for the baby yet and think my knitting for he/she will be more appreciated a little further down the road. Third, I would love to knit myself some sweaters but frankly I just don't have the energy right now. Maybe my knitting mojo will be back in the near future, but for now I'm on hiatus.

The last thing on my loose ends list is annual memberships. Last year I got a membership to the Seattle Art Museum. I haven't used it as much as I should and we live right across the street. I always feel like going to the SAM on Mondays and well, they're closed on Mondays. This year we're set to have season tickets to the Sounders FC. I'm very excited about this. I'd like to add a membership to the Seattle Symphony's Soundbridge room. It's basically a musical experience for children. You can play any instrument you would find in the orchestra, they have story time, etc. I'm also considering a membership at the Seattle Children's Museum. I have a hard time picking and choosing because I would like for everyone in my family to be able to enjoy the memberships, get good use out of them, and to want it to be a continuous thing. I have considered the Seattle Lecture Series, the Symphony, the 5th Ave, etc, but they all seem to be a bit expensive and something for only Chris and I. I'm excited to dive into this years options and be able to consider some larger family type experiences. Oh & the aquarium would be fun ;)

Well, I just felt the need to ramble about New Year stuff for a second. Thanks for listening.

I would love to hear about your resolutions or loose ends list.

Christmas @ G-ma & G-pa's

We had a fantastic Christmas weekend at G-ma & G-pa's. I was lucky enough to receive an amazing new camera. Though I have lots to learn, here are a few snapshots from the weekend.


Dr. King

With her Dr. Glasses

Dr. King fixing G-ma


Checking her mirror


Dancing with G-ma


Playing in the Snow!


Holding Hands with her Preggo Snowgirl


Suga for Papa


Aw.... Papa


G-ma & Syd Throwing Snowballs for Bailey

Throwing Snowballs with Papa

She Temporarily Lost her Glove


Dancing to her new iPod


It was a Good Christmas :)

SNOW DAY!

Cooking with Sausage

I would like to share a small food recommendation with you all. If you like sausage, and even if you're not a huge fan, you should really check out Uli's Sausage in the Pike Place Market (you can also order online). For a few years now, we have been using a couple of their links in our holiday stuffing, a couple for breakfast, a couple in our spaghetti sauce.... you get the picture.


I've really enjoyed the Brat's w/Cranberries and the Chicken w/Apples for the stuffing. I like the Pork Apple Brat for breakfast, the Cajun Andouille to kick up the spaghetti sauce and many others for various other uses.



& If you're in the neighborhood.... give me a call :)

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

A few have asked for the pumpkin cheesecake recipe I used over Thanksgiving.

Note: I truly do not measure my ingredients so what you see here is my best guess.
Also, the topping is not entirely necessary, but it is pretty and the leftovers are great as a fruit dip.



Ingredients:

For crust:

• Butter - or vegetable spray for pan
  
• 2 1/2 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs
• 1 cup pecans (about 3 1/2 ounces)
• 1/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

For filling:

• 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
• 5 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

For topping:

• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sour cream

Preparation:

Crust:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray (or butter) 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides with nonstick spray. Grind cookie crumbs, pecans, & brown sugar in processor until nuts are finely ground. Add butter slowly; using on/off turns, process to blend. Transfer mixture to prepared pan; press onto bottom and 2 inches up sides of pan. Bake crust until set and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Cool completely.

Filling:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in pumpkin. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating on low speed to incorporate each addition. Add flour, spices, and salt; beat just to blend. Beat in vanilla. Transfer filling to cooled crust. (If you have extra filling, use in cupcake pan) Bake until filling is just set in center and edges begin to crack (filling will move slightly when pan is gently shaken), about 1 hour. Cool 1 hour. Run knife around sides of pan to release crust. Chill cheesecake uncovered in pan overnight.

Topping:
Stir marshmallows and milk in medium saucepan over low heat until marshmallows are melted (will take a while). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt. Cool marshmallow mixture to room temperature, stirring occasionally.

Add sour cream to marshmallow mixture; fold gently just to blend. Pour topping over cheesecake and spread evenly, leaving 1/2 inch uncovered around edges. Chill to set topping, at least 1 hour.

12 Days of Cheer

I'm a little late on posting about this event so some days are missing, BUT.... Hotel 1000 on 1st & Madison is hosting "12 Days of Cheer".

It's snowing everyday outside the Hotel and you can snuggle up inside their Studio with cocktails, eggnog, and yummy treats.

Calendar of Events all at Hotel 1000:
Tuesday, December 9: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Five Golden Rings
Santa pictures with five of the Seattle
Seahawks' "golden" Sea Gals.

Thursday, December 11: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Six Geese-a-Laying
Festive, gourmet eggnogs served in
Studio 1000.

Thursday, December 11: 7 p.m.- 11 p.m.
Holiday Latin Jazz with Andre Feriante

Friday, December 12: 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Holiday Movie Night at Hotel 1000
"It's a Wonderful Life."


Friday, December 12: 6:30 p.m.- 6:45 p.m.
Seven Swans a Swimming
Olympic Ballet Theatre performs its
Mini-Nutcracker.

Sunday, December 14: 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Holiday Jazz with Liis Todd Trio.

Monday, December 15: 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Eight Maids a Milking
O Wine and Cheese Fondue pairing.
$45 per person.

Tuesday, December 16: 5:00, 5:45, 6:30, 7:15 p.m.
Nine Ladies Dancing
Northwest Girl's Choir.

Wednesday, December 17: 6 p.m.- 7 p.m.
Ten Lords a Leaping
Seattle Men's Chorus ensemble
"Captain Smartypants."

Thursday, December 18: 7 p.m.- 11 p.m.
Holiday Latin Jazz with Andre Feriante

Friday, December 19: 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Holiday Movie Night at Hotel 1000
"A Christmas Story."

Saturday, December 20: 6:30 p.m.- 10:00 p.m.
Gay Holiday Bingo
Benefiting Lifelong AIDS Alliance.

Saturday, December 20: 11:00 a.m.
Twelve Drummers Drumming
Blue Thunder

Sunday, December 21: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Eleven Pipers Piping
Seattle Flute Society.

Prego - Week 10

What's happening with the baby:
By the end of this week, the baby will have verifiable fingers and toes. The tadpole appearance diminishes as the tail completely disappears. Eyelids fuse and will stay shut until weeks 25 to 27. Both the external ear and upper lip are complete, and the beginnings of external genitalia appear. The average size of the baby-to-be is 27 to 35 millimeters, crown to rump, or 1.06 to 1.38 inches. Our little one weighs in at a hefty four grams! At the end of the eighth week of gestation our little one is no longer an embryo; from now on he or she is referred to as a fetus.

What's happening with Momma:
The inevitable "Pickles or Ice Cream?" question has been answered: PICKLES! Yes, I scream for pickles. You know the kosher dill spears.... mmmmHmmm.
The tummy is still a bit picky, but I'm learning how to keep it pleased. Small snacks throughout the day is the best remedy. Not "hungry" and not "full". My energy levels are rising. If only I could get a mid-day nap, I'd be back to normal-ish. All in all, I'm feeling quite good.

Thanksgiving was wonderful and relaxing thanks to G-ma & G-pa. Dinner was a success. I'll post a dessert recipe soon :) Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.